self-esteem

[ self-i-steem, self- ]

noun

1. a realistic respect for or favorable impression of oneself; self-respect.

   Antonyms: diffidence

2. an inordinately or exaggeratedly favorable impression of oneself:

   Her self-esteem can sometimes be very annoying.

   Antonyms: diffidence

self-esteem

noun

1. respect for or a favourable opinion of oneself
2. an unduly high opinion of oneself; vanity

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-esteem¹

First recorded in 1650–60

Synonym Study

See pride.

Example Sentences

She said she had been made to feel like a nuisance and that her self-esteem and mental health had been affected.

From BBC

Rivers knew she was special, but she suffered from low self-esteem.

From Los Angeles Times

Men worthy of the word don’t depend for their self-esteem on the crushing and marginalizing of Others.

From Salon

"You're pretending to be something that you're not and that imposter syndrome turns into self-esteem issues and it can manifest itself as anxiety and depression."

From BBC

"It really is never that - that's like the surface issue, but then below that are, there are family issues happening, there's always self-esteem stuff going on."

From BBC

Related Words

• confidence
• dignity
• morale
• self-respect